9.E.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 05/05/2026
- Co-Submitter:
- Lauren Clementino
- From:
- Neil Chapman, Wildland Fire Captain
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract:
Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. in the amount of
$882,664.18 with grant funds to conduct environmental surveys required to implement wildfire risk reduction thinning and burn operations across priority United States Forest Service (USFS) lands.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. in the amount of $882,664.18 with grant funds to conduct environmental surveys required to implement wildfire risk reduction thinning and burn operations across priority USFS) lands; and
- Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
Ecological thinning and beneficial fire reduce the escalating risk of undesirable wildfires to both the community and the surrounding watersheds across the Coconino National Forest. The area's forests have naturally adapted to frequent, low-intensity fire, a process that has been disrupted for over a century by fire suppression and exclusion policies.
Ecological thinning and beneficial fire on federal lands require heritage surveys as part of compliance with federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These surveys identify and evaluate cultural resources to ensure they are protected from potential damage caused by thinning and fire operations.
The Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. will implement heritage surveys and other cultural resources work needed to prepare priority areas across the Coconino National Forest for ecological thinning and beneficial fire.
Ecological thinning and beneficial fire on federal lands require heritage surveys as part of compliance with federal laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These surveys identify and evaluate cultural resources to ensure they are protected from potential damage caused by thinning and fire operations.
The Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. will implement heritage surveys and other cultural resources work needed to prepare priority areas across the Coconino National Forest for ecological thinning and beneficial fire.
On September 5, 2023, the, City Council approved a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, and Coconino National Forest - Four Forest Initiative Heritage Support – Grant Number 23-PA-11030400-261 (SPA). Under the provisions of the SPA, the City will be reimbursed for costs associated with the Contract.
Financial Impact:
Project Name:
Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. -
Coconino National Forest Heritage Support
Cost: $882,664.18
Account Number Budgeted: 070-03-052-6396-2-4208
FY2025-26 Budgeted Amount: $1,000,000
Grant Funded: $1,153,736.50
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, and Coconino National Forest - Four Forest Initiative Heritage Support – Grant Number 23-PA-11030400-261
Cost: $882,664.18
Account Number Budgeted: 070-03-052-6396-2-4208
FY2025-26 Budgeted Amount: $1,000,000
Grant Funded: $1,153,736.50
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, and Coconino National Forest - Four Forest Initiative Heritage Support – Grant Number 23-PA-11030400-261
Policy Impact:
The Cooperative Purchase Contract supports existing programs and community-wide plans. It does not change current policy.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
On September 5, 2023, the City Council approved a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, and Coconino National Forest - Four Forest Initiative Heritage Support – Grant Number 23-PA-11030400-261 which will allow the
City to be reimbursed for costs associated with the
environmental surveys required to implement wildfire risk reduction thinning and burn operations across priority USFS lands.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. and allow work to begin in a timely manner; or
- Not approve the Contract which will cause unplanned delays and possible cost increases.
Background and History:
The Purchasing Section reviewed the General Services Administration (GSA) competitively solicited cooperative purchase options available and confirmed that the GSA conducted a fair, competitive and open procurement process through a formal solicitation that resulted in a contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. This underlying GSA agency contract (47QRAA22D005M) has been verified as valid and appropriate for the purchase of the specified services and presents the best value to the City of Flagstaff.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
1. High Performing Governance: Implement innovative local government programs, new ideas and best practices; Be recognized as a model for others to follow
2. Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
3. Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources; Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems
2. Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
3. Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources; Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems
Connection to Regional Plan:
Environmental Planning & Conservation -- Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 -- Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 -- Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a firedependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 -- Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem types and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 -- Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 -- Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
Policy E&C.3.3 -- Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 -- Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a firedependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 -- Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem types and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 -- Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 -- Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces.
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
3.2 Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health.
Reducing wildfire risk in the natural environment directly supports wildfire risk reduction in the built environment, as the intensity and likelihood of vegetation fire transitioning to a community structure fire is reduced.
Reducing wildfire risk in the natural environment directly supports wildfire risk reduction in the built environment, as the intensity and likelihood of vegetation fire transitioning to a community structure fire is reduced.
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach & Reduce risks through Prevention & WFM efforts
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures